AURORA -- While the Naperville Invitational is being staged for the 21st-consecutive year, the 2018 edition marks the debut for Metea Valley both as a competitor and a site host.

The Mustangs -- ranked no. 16 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 -- were literally and figuratively right at home in Thursday’s opener and cruised to a 4-0 shutout of Fremd in the pool play opener for both teams.

In what has undeniably become the state’s toughest tournament, the Naperville Invitational’s 1998 roots actually pre-date Metea Valley’s existence. Originally, the competition and the possibility of potentially facing established foes in league and invite play with a possible third meeting in the postseason, seemed a daunting task for any program.

However, since Chris Whaley’s program has grown into a postseason power in its own right -- now hoping for a fourth-consecutive sectional final appearance -- the Mustangs have become part of a 24-school field which begins with World Cup-style round-robin play from which eight group winners comprise the championship bracket.

The question is will the new-kid-on-the-block status help or hurt Metea Valley as the event’s ultra-competitive pressure comes to a boil?

Eleven of the 24 schools are ranked in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 and two more are on the honorable mention list. Six teams from within the top 10 could easily vie for the title.

And yes, Metea Valley may even run into someone for a third time once the postseason is in motion.

Ironically the combined role of host and tourney newcomer included yet another fresh angle for Metea, its the first-ever meeting with Fremd despite that the schools are just 35 miles apart or, depending on time of day and traffic, 40 to 65 minutes from each other.

In concurring with Paige Buranosky’s selection of Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match, Whaley noted she epitomized the type of success in multiple facets of the game that led to the Mustangs (8-4-0) triumph over a very young, but down-the-road-dangerous club from Fremd (4-3-1).

“Paige is just a super, smart player. She scored today, which of course is the cherry on the top for a defender,” Whaley noted. “She really reads the opponent’s offense well and her work in helping produce a zero on the board for the defense is big.”

Metea Valley pretty much dominated the opening half largely by limiting the visitor's opportunities -- they outproduced Fremd 7-2 in shots with a 4-1 edge in shots on goal.

The first real threat of the match came just under 10 minutes in when Metea Valley's Lauryn Wesoloski had a cannon shot from the left wing that Fremd goalie Jennifer Norris saved with a catch. But at 15:48, the senior midfielder had a similar but closer opportunity, and this time her 18-yarder had the combination of force and spin to power through Norris’ grasp.

“I’ve been working on placement of my shots combined with trying to hit it as hard as possible,” Wesoloski said in regard to her fourth goal and second game-winner of the season. “Knowing she had save one earlier, I made sure to look up in order to really focus my attention on the distance and then power the ball.”

Senior reserve Lauryn Donovan took a gamble on testing Norris with a shot from distance at 26:38, but the ball skimmed off the top side of the crossbar. There was 2:46 left before intermission when Sophia Senese’s direct free kick was also just a tad too high. The Mustangs stayed on attack and with just 51 seconds to play before halftime, Senese was fouled inside the box and the senior converted the penalty kick for her sixth goal, moving her one ahead of teammate Maeve Riordan.

“The first goal was nice because it always helps to get momentum, but the key was our defensive work and continuing to attack toward the end of the first half,” Whaley said. “Sophia was in a good spot and then earned the reward for that effort.”

Fremd began the second half showing much more aggression on offense. Less than five minutes in, veteran Marta Cholewa put a direct kick on target but the save was made by Nikki Coryell, who took over in net from Myah Schoolman. Ultimately the duo combined for a second shared shutout and Metea’s fifth clean sheet for the year.

Riordan upped her team-best assist tally to six with a corner kick that was knocked home by Buranosky at 46:02.

“Watching the ball come down from Maeve’s corner it was just a matter of putting my foot right on it the same as in practice,” Buranosky explained. “Although it happening in a competitive atmosphere makes it feel more special. As a defender it’s a treat to score, but the victory is the biggest thing because we really play for each other. Together we’re very united as a team from end to end.”

Within minutes, Fremd ramped up its efforts with Emma Katovich attempting to put back a clearance from distance. The Vikings’ Marisa Wade had a corner kick that seemed to pinball around a cluster in front of the Metea net but ultimately get cleared. At 51:59, Ashley Scesniak’s blast from the right was blocked by Coryell and Claire Stewart pounced on the loose-ball chance only to have the ball sail high. Four minutes later Caleigh Stone’s redirect caromed off the left post.

“Our second half energy was much better and in the first 15 minutes we pressed them with our attack. We had chances and probably should have scored,” veteran Fremd coach Steve Keller said. “At half we talked about creating chances and being more physical, and I was pleased with our efforts in that respect.”

As one of the team's two senior co-captains, Cholewa echoed that point.

“While we played a better second half, we still needed to work until the ball was out or a play was over. We needed to calm down and keep possession,” she said. “We had chances, perhaps very unlucky to hit the post or shoot high, so we’ll work on finishing better.”

“Whether it’s letting someone know ‘Man on’ or simply yelling encouragement, we lacked communication,” Stein said. “It definitely was not the outcome we wanted and although it’s disappointing, Metea is a good team and fought well for the win.”

In addition to not buckling under Fremd’s increased pressure, the Mustangs enlarged their victory margin with 15:22 remaining. Senese made an impressive sideline run, got around a defender and attacked from the right on a difficult angle. Although Norris dragged a leg to make one save, Senese scrambled to get a putback attempt that Norris was only able to deflect. That’s when Anna Grabow pounced for a strike into the open far post.

“Sarah (Davies) played a great ball that enabled me to make that run downfield, and I obviously was hoping to finish it with a goal. It was a little frustrating to have her block it and when I tried to follow through on the rebound, she got enough on it to again keep it out,” Senese added. “Thankfully Anna did a great job finishing, and the sequence Sarah started resulted in a goal.”

In contrast to the limited first half numbers, Fremd was far more competitive but there was still no denying the Mustangs control. Metea had a 10-8 advantage for attempts and a 9-5 edge in shots on goal.

“No question (Metea was) one of the better teams we’ve seen in terms of putting pressure on us,” Keller said. “We need to sort out the defense sooner so that we weren’t late marking players. It’s not just being unable to match their style, but the differences were amplified by their skills. They’re a very talented team that keeps its shape well, almost overdo it to a degree.”

Although denied the chance for a third-consecutive win, Fremd faces Hinsdale Central in its final Group G match on Friday at Oak Park and River Forest. Hinsdale Central then travels to Metea for a Saturday morning date to determine who advances. Fremd will then hope to improve on a 4-1 Mid-Suburban League ledger with two contests before the second weekend of Naperville Invitational play.

“Credit to (Fremd) in the second half for pressing the attack on us. They kept fighting, but we also created our own opportunities,” Whaley noted. “Also thought Kayla (Hurst) was an unsung hero today. She’s one of those we’ve got listed as a forward, but works so hard defensively that she finds herself being in the right spot for offense or defense on multiple times. That ability is super valuable.

“Not trying to oversell it, but I’m super proud of our team tonight. They played good soccer. They’re good kids; they show a lot of heart, all of which is what is needed to be successful,” Whaley concluded.